Praise to the Man: Songs Honoring the Prophet Joseph Smith

Praise to the Man: Songs Honoring the Prophet Joseph is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s ultimate musical tribute to the life and mission of Joseph Smith and the Restoration. Joined by the Orchestra at Temple Square, the Choir presents matchless performances of newly recorded songs including Joseph Smith s First Prayer, Praise to the Man, and The Morning Breaks. people everywhere can join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square in honoring the Prophet Joseph, reflecting on the Ch

This review is from: Praise to the Man: Songs Honoring the Prophet Joseph Smith (Audio CD)

In the liner notes to this release, “Praise To The Man” is described as “the most ‘Mormon’ of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s albums” and that’s correct. Mormons believe that God speaks to man through prophets, the same today as in ancient times, and the first prophet of their church was Joseph Smith. This CD collects songs associated with Smith, some written about his life and experiences (“Joseph Smith’s First Prayer,” “Praise To The Man,” “An Angel From On High,” “Now We’ll Wing With One Accord”), some laud the role of prophets in all ages (“We Thank Thee O God, For A Prophet”), and at least one song was a favorite of his (“A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”). Many of the songs are celebrations of a ‘new day’ of the Gospel on the earth: “I Saw A Mighty Angel Fly,” “An Angel From On High,” “The Morning Breaks,” and there’s one exhortation: “Come Listen To A Prophet’s Voice”. The Choir sings these songs with all the beauty and craft which listeners have come to expect from this sublime choral group, but hearing them sing songs which they fervently believe in adds an extra dimension to this album. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has always sung songs of faith and devotion, but “Praise To The Man” is much more tightly focused on one of the basic tenants of their faith, and as such, is more reverent, and more joyous as a listening experience. Beautiful and curious.